Technology used and required

Unit web page

The web page for this unit can be found at http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

Please check this web page regularly for announcements and material available for downloading. Some learning resources for the unit will be provided in hardcopy rather on-line.

Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials

The first half of the course will follow "The Physics of Vibrations and Waves", Sixth Edition; H.J. Pain, Wiley (2005).

There is no single text book for the second half of the course. Recommended reading includes, the above text, as well as

2. The Feynman Lectures on Physics, Vol. 1, R.P. Feynman, R.B. Leighton and M. Sands (QC23.F47)

3. Vibrations and Waves in Physics, Second Edition, I.G. Main, Cambridge University Press (QC136.M34)

4. Oscillations and Waves, R. Buckley, Adam Hilger (1985) (QC157.B82).

5. Vibrations and Waves, A.P. French, Norton (1971) (QC235.F74).

6. Wave Physics, R.E.I. Newton, Edward Arnold (QC157.N48).

7. The Physics of Vibrations and Waves, Fourth Edition, H.J. Pain, Wiley (1993) QC231.P3/1993.

8. The Physics of Vibrations and Waves, Fifth Edition, H.J. Pain, Wiley (1999)QC231.P3/1999.

9. Fundamentals of Optics, F.A. Jenkins and H.E. White, McGraw-Hill (QC355.2.J46).

10. Optics, E. Hecht, Addison-Wesley (QC355.H42).

Teaching and Learning Strategy

This unit is taught through lectures and tutorials. We strongly encourage students to attend lectures because they provide a much more interactive and effective learning experience than studying a textbook. Questions during and outside lectures are strongly encouraged in this unit - please do not be afraid to ask, as it is likely that your classmates will also want to know the answer. You should aim to read the relevant sections of the textbook before and after lectures and discuss the content with classmates and lecturers.

You should aim to spend 3 hours per week working on the assignments. You may wish to discuss your assignment problems with other students and the lecturers, but you are required to hand in your own work (see the note on plagiarism below). Assignments are provided as one of the key learning activities for this unit, they are not there just for assessment. It is by applying knowledge learned from lectures and textbooks to solve problems that you are best able to test and develop your skills and understanding of the material.

The experimental aspects of the unit require students to attend laboratories where they will be expected to set up experiments, take data, analyse the data within the context of the physical phenomena that are being studied, maintain a laboratory log-book, and report on their findings in clearly written laboratory reports.

Changes since the last offering of this unit

• Introduction of a text book for the first half of the unit.
• An alteration of the form of in-tutorial tests, that are now unseen questions based on the previous week's tutorial work.

Schedule of assessable tasks and related materials

Assignments 

The assignments will be handed out according to the following approximate timetable

Students who have entered this unit with a waiver of prerequisites must hand in their assignments as required. No further concessions or assistance can be offered to these students if they fail to work as expected.

 Lecture schedule

Mid-session exam

The mid-session exam will take place on Wednesday 22 April, Week 7, at 2 pm. It will be at the usual lecture venue. 

Laboratories

The laboratory sessions are held in E7B217 in weeks 3 to 6 and weeks 9 to 12. The experiments are separated into two kinds, as described below.

First group of experiments

 Second group of experiments

The LabVIEW software suite will be taught over a four week period. The first three weeks will introduce most the commonly used objects in LabVIEW with examples to help the students grasp the functionality of the software. The last week will be spent completing exercises on their own with help from the demonstrator.

Numerical laboratory

The classes are held in E7B217 at the same time as the laboratory classes are scheduled. They will be held in weeks 2, 7, 8 and 13.

Student Liaison Committee

The Physics Department values quality teaching and engages in periodic student evaluations of its units, external reviews of its programs and course units, and seeks formal feedback from students via focus groups and the Student Liaison Committee. Please consider being a member of this committee, which meets once during the semester (lunch provided), with the purpose of improving teaching via student feedback. The class will be asked to nominate two students as representatives for the PHYS201 unit on the student liaison committee. This nomination process will be conducted during lectures and the lecturer will forward the names to the Head of Department. The SLC meetings are minuted and student representatives receive copies of the minutes from the two preceding SLC meetings prior to the meeting. An update on the responses that have been made by the department to the feedback obtained at the two preceding SLC meetings are reported by the Head of Department at the beginning of each SLC meeting. These responses are also minuted. The feedback is acted upon in a number of ways mostly initiated via Department of Physics and Astronomy meetings, where decisions on actions are taken.

The Dick Makinson prize is awarded for proficiency in 200-level units in physics (including certain 200-level electronics units) totalling no less than 9 credit points. All students (day, part time or evening) are eligible for the prize. The Makinson prize takes the form of a certificate and cheque for $150.

To pass the course unit you must:

• achieve a satisfactory standard overall
• achieve a satisfactory standard in each assessment type
• have complete attendance at laboratory sessions

Grading

An aggregate standard number grade (SNG) corresponding to a pass (P) is required to pass this unit.

High Distinction (HD, 85-100%): provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality and insight in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application.

Distinction (D, 75-84%): provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the discipline and the audience.

Credit (Cr, 65-74%): provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; plus communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the discipline.

Pass (P, 50-64%): provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the field of study; and communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the discipline. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.

Fail (F, 0-49%): does not provide evidence of attainment of all learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; and incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the discipline.